well,i t depends on which version of Thing-Fish you meanon the vinyl and some of the older CD versions, there is version without Watson commentary. Watson commentary is present on newer Ryko editions of TF

I was only asking because I'd like the version without the commentary so I thought I'd ask before I bought the wrong one!

The new one will have the commentary.

If you want the original mix of "He's So Gay" without the commentary, you will need to either buy the LP, the cassette, the UK EMI CD, or a US Ryko CD that was manufactured in the 80's (which is difficult to identify without listening to it).

Also, Have I Offended Someone? has a remix of the song without the Watson commentary. That CD will be released at the end of November.

That is my recommendation. It's a single disc with several alternate takes. It's easier to acquire and a better value than trying to find another, older copy of Thing-Fish.

Yes, and plus I have to say, I hate Thing Fish with a passion. The only songs I can enjoy on it are Brown Moses and He's So Gay. The version with the commentary annoys the fuck out of me!

Well, I love Thing-Fish and the version with the commentary annoys the fuck out of me.

Truth is, you don't even need Thing-Fish. Just get HIOS and You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 and you're done. The latter has live versions of "Brown Moses" and the "Evil Prince" section of "The Torchum Never Stops". Sure, it's Ike and Ray instead of Johnny "Guitar" Watson on "Brown Moses" but the rendition is very good. You might find that those songs are a lot better when they are separated from the album as a whole.

That is my recommendation. It's a single disc with several alternate takes. It's easier to acquire and a better value than trying to find another, older copy of Thing-Fish.

Yes, and plus I have to say, I hate Thing Fish with a passion. The only songs I can enjoy on it are Brown Moses and He's So Gay. The version with the commentary annoys the fuck out of me!

Well, I love Thing-Fish and the version with the commentary annoys the fuck out of me.

Truth is, you don't even need Thing-Fish. Just get HIOS and You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 and you're done. The latter has live versions of "Brown Moses" and the "Evil Prince" section of "The Torchum Never Stops". Sure, it's Ike and Ray instead of Johnny "Guitar" Watson on "Brown Moses" but the rendition is very good. You might find that those songs are a lot better when they are separated from the album as a whole.

the Evil Prince on vol 4 is killer. I enjoy the Thing-Fish album, but the YCDTOSA Vol 4 version of Evil Prince kills anything on the T-F album. An amazing performance.

i think people who hate Thing-Fish are pussies that, probably due to subconscious liberal gulit, can't stand to listen the rascist black caricature that is the character Thing-Fish. i'll admit, when i first heard this album that King-Fish voice offended (i guess, for lack of better word) me. one thing to remember is FZ didn't create this voice it's from an old radio show during a time where racial issues were vastly different that today. the appropriation of this voice isn't, i don't think, to laugh at how funny black people talk; it's satirical commentary.

lyrically that album is fantastic satirical commentary on many things that most people didn't really have the guts to comment on. Frank touches on so many hot-button issues like the Tuskeegee Syphilis Experiment/the AIDS epidemic, gender roles, critics, homosexuality, feminism, Al Jolson and racism just to name a few. but what is FZ's opinion on these things? you may be asking yourself. the thing about art is it's up to you to figure it out for yourself. if you're too stupid to figure out, or research, what the hell Ike Willis is singing about in that funny voice then i don't know what to tell you. and it is Zappa so at least the music is untouchably bad ass, right?

i think people who hate Thing-Fish are pussies that, probably due to subconscious liberal gulit, can't stand to listen the rascist black caricature that is the character Thing-Fish.

I agree with nearly everything in your post, even though I don't like the album. The reason why I don't like it is that most of it is recycled music and what isn't, isn't all that engaging to me and leaves the narration to take the focus. Its a brilliant concept, yes, but I find it hard to listen to, because its not what I'm looking for in music. I'm in no way offended by the character of Thing Fish and I do find it humorous in small doses, but I'd much rather hear his classical offerings of the period. I'm glad you enjoy it, though.

Also, I agree that "Brown Moses" and "Evil Prince" from Vol 4 are incredible. I wish that the later were done with the same gusto that was on the live versions, but I do love the gospel Brown Moses on the studio version.

Also, I agree that "Brown Moses" and "Evil Prince" from Vol 4 are incredible. I wish that the later were done with the same gusto that was on the live versions, but I do love the gospel Brown Moses on the studio version.

I just went back and listened to this. I had forgotten that Frank himself joins Ray and Ike on "Brown Moses". Also, Bobby has some good vocal contributions to "The Evil Prince".

No offense to Nappy, but Ray OWNS "The Evil Prince". By the time the Vol. 4 version was recorded, Frank finally figured out the right arrangement for that song. Ray just shines on this one. Ike and Bobby sound great and come in at just the right times, but Ray just sounds incredible.

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